Vandals struck the Northshore Jewish Congregation in Mandeville this week, spray-painting "Synagogue of Satan" on the back wall of the brick building on North Causeway Boulevard.

The anti-Semitic message, in black and red paint, also includes swastikas and the numbers 14/88, which are frequently used by hate groups.

Mandeville Police Chief Gerald Sticker said Thursday (Sept. 6) the vandalism likely occurred Tuesday night or early Wednesday. Officers took a report, documented the crime and will consult with the FBI, he said.

"Obviously this day and age we have to take it seriously," Sticker said. "Hopefully it's just kids being stupid."

"It's potentially a hate crime. We will do our due diligence and turn it over to one of our detectives."

The congregation's Board of Trustees plans to meet Thursday night to discuss how to address the incident.

In a statement, the board said, "This is the first time we have experienced such a hateful act of anti-Semitism. We know this doesn't represent the majority in this community, but we also know there are those who harbor not only anti-Semitic but racist and homophobic views and we as a larger community must reject all forms of hate."

According to the Anti-Defamation League, 1488 is a combination of two popular white supremacist numeric symbols. The number 14 is shorthand for the 14-word slogan: "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children," according to the organization.

The No. 88 stands for "Heil Hitler," with H being the eighth letter of the alphabet.

Together, the numbers form a general endorsement of white supremacy and its beliefs, the ADL says. They are commonly used within the white supremacist movement as graffiti, in graphics and tattoos, and in screen names and e-mail addresses, it says.

The Anti-Defamation League, New Orleans Clergy Council and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans released a joint statement condemning the vandalism in Mandeville, describing it as a "despicable and cowardly act."

"Hate of any kind must not be normalized, thus we hope that the entire community roundly condemns the vandalism at the Northshore Jewish Congregation," said ADL Regional Director Aaron Ahlquist.

The ADL is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator or perpetrators.

The incident prompted comment from some elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise.

"Hatred and bigotry have no place in our society," he said in a statement. "This cowardly act of anti-Semitism is disgraceful, and I hope the criminal who perpetrated it is brought to justice. I am proud to stand with the good people of the Northshore Jewish Congregation, and I know they will not be intimidated by this hateful act."